HB 1728HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii counties must allow rainwater systems on all properties

Hawaii law requires each county to allow rainwater collection systems across its properties and to set rules that protect water sources.

What it does

Each county must allow rainwater collection systems on all properties, including those without county water service. Counties must set safety rules and may require checks or notice when needed to protect health or water quality.

Argument forProperty owners could collect rainwater for household uses, such as watering plants and flushing toilets, even without county water service.

Argument againstCounty safety rules and possible inspections could add work for property owners, even though counties cannot unreasonably restrict these systems.

More detail

The law requires each county to allow rainwater collection systems on properties across the county. This covers properties whether or not they connect to county water. A system collects and stores rainwater from rooftops or other surfaces for drinking and other uses, including irrigation, toilet flushing, cleaning, and landscape watering. Counties must adopt rules for safety, upkeep, design, and backflow prevention to protect public, county, and private water sources. A county may require registration, inspection, or notice when needed to protect public health or water quality, but it may not unreasonably restrict or prohibit system use. The Act says it takes effect upon approval; the supplied text does not give an approval date.

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More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 20
Passed HouseMar 10
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJul 9

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 9Act 209, 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1311).Latest
2. Jul 9Act 209, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1311).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. Apr 29The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, San Buenaventura, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
9. Apr 29The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Tarnas, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
10. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 84-26) as amended in (CD 1).
11. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday 05-06-26.
12. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 84-26).
13. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
14. Apr 27Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-29-26 10:50AM; Conference Room 325.
15. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Hashem, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Souza.
16. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).Minor
17. Apr 20Senate Conferees Appointed: Wakai Chair; Lee, C., San Buenaventura Co-Chairs; Fevella.
18. Apr 20Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 713).Minor
19. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
20. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
21. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
22. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 614) in amended form (SD 1).
23. Apr 10Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3748) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
24. Apr 10One Day Notice 04-14-26.
25. Apr 7The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
26. Apr 1The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-07-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
27. Mar 30Reported from EIG/WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3258) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
28. Mar 30Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.Minor
29. Mar 19The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Chang, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
30. Mar 19The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite, Richards, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
31. Mar 16The committee(s) on EIG/WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 03-19-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
32. Mar 12Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 273).Minor
33. Mar 12Passed First Reading.Minor
34. Mar 12Referred to EIG/WLA, JDC.Minor
35. Mar 10Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
36. Mar 6Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1184-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
37. Mar 4The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Cochran.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
38. Feb 27Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 03-04-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
39. Feb 11Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 200-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA. Result: pass.Lower
40. Feb 11Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1).Minor
41. Feb 3The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Belatti, Ichiyama, Poepoe, Woodson, Souza; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Iwamoto, Shimizu; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
42. Jan 30Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Tuesday, 02-03-26 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
43. Jan 26Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 1Minor
44. Jan 21Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
45. Jan 20Prefiled.Introduced

Environment & Energy

Issue with this bill?

HB 1728HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii counties must allow rainwater systems on all properties

Hawaii law requires each county to allow rainwater collection systems across its properties and to set rules that protect water sources.

What it does

Argument forProperty owners could collect rainwater for household uses, such as watering plants and flushing toilets, even without county water service.

Argument againstCounty safety rules and possible inspections could add work for property owners, even though counties cannot unreasonably restrict these systems.

More detail

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 20
Passed HouseMar 10
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJul 9

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 9Act 209, 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1311).Latest
2. Jul 9Act 209, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1311).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. Apr 29The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, San Buenaventura, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
9. Apr 29The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Tarnas, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
10. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 84-26) as amended in (CD 1).
11. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday 05-06-26.
12. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 84-26).
13. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
14. Apr 27Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-29-26 10:50AM; Conference Room 325.
15. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Hashem, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Souza.
16. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).Minor
17. Apr 20Senate Conferees Appointed: Wakai Chair; Lee, C., San Buenaventura Co-Chairs; Fevella.
18. Apr 20Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 713).Minor
19. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
20. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
21. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
22. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 614) in amended form (SD 1).
23. Apr 10Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3748) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
24. Apr 10One Day Notice 04-14-26.
25. Apr 7The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
26. Apr 1The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-07-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
27. Mar 30Reported from EIG/WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3258) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
28. Mar 30Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.Minor
29. Mar 19The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Chang, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
30. Mar 19The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EIG were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite, Richards, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
31. Mar 16The committee(s) on EIG/WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 03-19-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
32. Mar 12Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 273).Minor
33. Mar 12Passed First Reading.Minor
34. Mar 12Referred to EIG/WLA, JDC.Minor
35. Mar 10Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
36. Mar 6Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1184-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
37. Mar 4The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Cochran.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
38. Feb 27Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 03-04-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
39. Feb 11Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 200-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA. Result: pass.Lower
40. Feb 11Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1).Minor
41. Feb 3The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Belatti, Ichiyama, Poepoe, Woodson, Souza; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Iwamoto, Shimizu; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
42. Jan 30Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Tuesday, 02-03-26 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
43. Jan 26Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 1Minor
44. Jan 21Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
45. Jan 20Prefiled.Introduced

Environment & Energy

Issue with this bill?

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History